Three journalists physically assaulted by security forces in Manipur

IFJ, Brussel, 30 May 2023 : Three journalists were physically assaulted by security forces in the Indian state of Manipur while covering unrest at New Checkon, Imphal on May 22. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU), condemn the assault and call on the authorities to ensure journalists are permitted to report without jeopardising their safety.

Two Mami TV reporters, Soram Inaoba and Nongthombam Johnson, and a journalist from news agency ANI, Brahmacharimayum Dayananda, were reporting on the ongoing unrest in Manipur on May 22 when they were assaulted by security forces. The journalists were stationed on a building that had been set alight in the New Checkon area of Imphal when security officers struck them with batons.

The officers alleged the three had pelted stones at one of their Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), however, the journalists claimed they were waving the drone away, as it had come too close to them.

Despite all three wearing press identification at the time of the attack, the security personnel beat the journalists, allegedly attempting to tear off their vests and beat them. Inaoba and Johnson both suffered injuries to their heads during the attack, with all three sustaining other minor injuries. The journalists were treated at the local Remedy Hospital.

The assault has been condemned by journalist organisations and press freedom groups, including the IJU, the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU), the Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) and the Manipur Hills Journalists’ Union (MJHU), who demanded the suspension of the security persons involved in the assault within 48 hours. They also warned that media houses in Manipur will boycott all press releases, handouts and press conferences related to the central paramilitary forces and armed forces operating in Manipur if the demand was not fulfilled. 

Later on, the security forces begged an apology to the journalists and assured them that such an incident will not happen in future.

IJU President and former member of Press Council of India Geetartha Pathak and Secretary General and Vice President of International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Sabina Inderjit condemned the assault on the journalists and asked the security forces not to target journalists and allow journalists to do their duty unhindered and respect freedom of media.

Unrest has continued in Manipur since May 3, after violence broke out following a Tribal Solidarity March called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in which thousands participated. According to police reports, during the rally, participants clashed with non-tribals, with authorities imposing a curfew in eight districts of the state’s districts as violence spread. Mobile internet services were also suspended across the entire state.

The IFJ said: “Violent assaults against journalists are deeply concerning. Freedom of expression is of utmost importance in times of unrest, and journalists must be able to work without fear of threats or attacks. The IFJ urges the Indian state and federal authorities to ensure all journalists working in conflict zones are safeguarded and allowed to work freely.”

The detailed report states that on the afternoon of Monday, May 22, security personnel of the Jat regiment and other Central forces physically assaulted three journalists covering the resurgence of violence at New Checkon, Imphal.  

The incident unfolded when the three journalists were capturing footage of a burning building from an unfinished structure near Brighter Academy School, New Checkon, Imphal. 

As per a report, the three media persons along with a few other journalists were taking photos and videos of the arson from the said structure when personnel of the Jat Regiment, who were spread out below the building accused the media persons of pelting stones at the UAV reportedly operated by the Security Forces. According to the three media persons, they were waving away the drone as it had gotten too close to them. 

Soldiers dragged the three journalists from the building where they were reporting, tore their vests emblazoned with the word “Press,” and beat them with batons, according to those sources. 

“Authorities in India’s Manipur state must thoroughly investigate the recent attack on three journalists by security forces, and ensure that those responsible are held to account,” said Beh Lih Yi, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator. 

“Journalists in Manipur must be able to do their work safely and without fear of harassment and abuse by soldiers.”  The three journalists were treated at the Remedy Hospital in Imphal after the attack. Inaoba, a reporter for the Manipuri-language news broadcaster Mami TV, suffered injuries on his head and right hand. Johnson, a camera operator for Mami TV, also received a head injury, according to Kakchingtabam and those reports.

Dayananda, a camera operator with the Asian News International news agency, sustained minor injuries. The soldiers accused the journalists of throwing stones at a government-operated drone, those news reports said. 

However, the journalists denied that allegation, saying they were waving off the drone as it had gotten too close to them while they were reporting, according to a joint statement by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union, the Editors’ Guild Manipur, and the Manipur Hill Journalists Union. 

Indian Army soldiers were recently deployed to Manipur to restore peace after days of deadly rioting and ethnic clashes. CPJ texted Irengbam Arun, the media adviser to Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh, and Kuldiep Singh, a security adviser to the Manipur government who is currently overseeing the military presence in the state, but did not receive any replies.